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Our friends electric: EV network goes live

A new electric vehicle charging point network and pay as you go programme, launches this weekend across all ten boroughs of Greater Manchester.

Co-funded by central government, the Greater Manchester Electric Vehicle (GMEV) scheme will see more than 250 charging bays across the ten Greater Manchester districts go live - providing commuters with the infrastructure to charge electric vehicles.

The GMEV scheme will be operated by Charge Your Car (CYC) a leader in EV charging networks. CYC will manage the payments and access to the GMEV scheme on behalf of TfGM. Private sector partners, such as NCP, Manchester Central, Manchester Metropolitan University, Salford University and intu Trafford Centre are also on board, providing their own charging bays to supplement the network.

The official public launch for the scheme is taking place today (Friday July 26) at the Intu Trafford Centre to raise awareness of the scheme where visitors will be able to visit Orient Way to see electric vehicles, such as the Renault Zoe, and speak to representatives about GMEV. They can even book in for a test drive.

Councillor Andrew Fender, Chair of TfGM committee, said: “Safe and dependable transport is essential to the region and to the economy but we are also working with our partners to provide more sustainable, low-carbon travel choices: be it bus, rail, tram, bike or cars.

“Through the GMEV network, we are building a more connected city with greater, greener transport options available for both residents and visitors.”

Norman Baker, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, said: "It’s initiatives like the GMEV charging scheme that are bringing to life the Coalition Government’s ambition to put in place a comprehensive and effective national infrastructure. This will enable ultra low emission drivers to make the journeys that they need to."

A consortium from Greater Manchester, led by the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA), secured £1.7 million of support through the Office for Low Emission Vehicle’s (OLEV) funded ‘Plugged In Places’ scheme. The scheme has also received a further £1 million from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA).

Customers wishing to use the charging bays will be able to do so from July 28. They will be able to register through the TfGM website and receive an access card in the post, register via a mobile app downloadable from the website or simply pay as you go by phone.

As an introductory offer, GMEV users will be able to charge their Electric Vehicles for free*. The full pricing structure for users of the GMEV scheme will be announced in the autumn. Recharging a typical EV (7kwh/32amp capability) fully in a GMEV bay will take approximately three to four hours – up to three times faster than charging at home.

Transport represents one of the largest sources of CO2 emissions in the UK, with road transport making up over 90 per cent of this. The largest share of which comes from cars.

A map with all current locations can be found at the GMEV website. Some of the locations include:

Bury

Bury Market

Ramsbottom car park

Fairfax Road Prestwich car park

Bolton

Octogon multi-storey car park Coronation St

Wright Street car park Horwich

Manchester

Hulme Street City Centre

NCP Church Street, City Centre

Ardwick Sports Hall

Heaton Park

Greenpark Road, Northenden

Oldham

Hobson Street

Waterloo Street car park

Kershaw Street East/Westway car park

Rochdale

River Street

Middleton Arena car park

Salford

Corporation Road Eccles

Walkden Gateway, Smith Street

Pendleton Town Centre, Hankison Way car park

Stockport

St Petersgate

Churchgate car park

Heaton Lane multi-storey

Tameside

Henrietta Street car park

Ashton Pools

Trafford

Lacey Street, Stretford

Flixton Street railway station car park, Urmston

Wigan

Leigh Town Centre, Town Hall, Market Street

Spinning Gate pay and display car park, Leigh town centre

In addition to the existing infrastructure installed, TfGM, continue to work with the ten Districts and private partners, to continue to expand the GMEV network by providing more fast charge points, and some new rapid charge points during 2013/2014.

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Steve is co-founder and CEO of Creative Concern. He specialises in ethical and sustainability issues, integrated campaigns, city strategies, brand development and creating strange installations out of trees, lights and beautiful type. Particular areas of expertise include climate change, place making, transport, food issues and the natural environment.